Fans eagerly awaited the release of Aditya Dhar’s directorial venture, Dhurandhar 2, which hit theaters on March 19, with paid previews starting a day earlier. Despite facing delays and cancellations, the Ranveer Singh-led film shattered box office records, raking in an impressive Rs 102.55 crore on its opening day, surpassing the likes of Jawan and Animal to become the biggest opener in Hindi cinema history.
However, the buzz around Dhurandhar 2 isn’t just limited to India. Shortly after its theatrical debut, a pirated version surfaced in Pakistan, despite the film being banned for its perceived ‘anti-Pakistan’ themes. Reports on X indicated that some viewers couldn’t resist the temptation to watch it, including journalist Khalid Mehmood Khalid, who shared, “Watching Dhurandhar 2 in Lahore.”
Indian social media users quickly pointed out the irony of piracy, with one comment noting, “Sadly, Dhurandhar – The Revenge pirated version has reached Pakistan today itself. Below is a Pakistani Journalist confirming the same and enjoying the film on his Home Screen.” Another user remarked, “Dhurandhar 2 is a super hit in Pakistan too, even if it’s illegal.”
The first installment of Dhurandhar had already become a piracy sensation in Pakistan, amassing over 2 million illegal downloads within just two weeks of its ban, surpassing the piracy figures of major films like Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees and Rajinikanth’s 2.0. A viral video further highlighted the film’s popularity, showing a song from Dhurandhar being played at a party attended by Pakistani politician Bilawal Bhutto.
For context, Dhurandhar explores significant historical events such as the 1999 Kandahar hijacking, the Mumbai 26/11 attacks, and the Lyari gang wars. Its portrayal of Lyari has particularly upset some Pakistani viewers, prompting the government to announce a counter-film titled Mera Lyari, aiming to present an alternative narrative.